Tax benefits for Indian seafarers in for review

The National Shipping Board will revisit the issue of providing tax benefits to Indian seafarers who are working in Indian flag vessels. It will take up this issue again with the Union Ministry of Finance and the Shipping Ministry, according to its Chairman, Capt P.V.K Mohan. The board also wanted the Centre to ban ships of over 25 years entering the Indian shores as these vessels could be dangerous to the shipping trade. It also wanted the fishing harbours to be out proximity of the major ports, he told newspersons after the 113th meeting of the NSB, which advises the Shipping Ministry.

OFFICERS SHORTAGE

Today, an Indian seafarer working in a foreign ship does not pay any tax. However, for the same job, the seafarer in Indian flagship pays the tax. Due to this disparity, Indians are not willing to work in Indian flag ships. This has led to an acute shortage of officers in Indian ships, said Capt. Harish Khatri, Deputy Director General of Shipping (Technical) and Member Secretary, National Shipping Board, the apex advisory body to the Government on the shipping industry. On the issue of location of fishing harbours, Capt Mohan said in today's meeting, the Visakapatnam port submitted a report stating that the fishing harbour is to be moved 30 km away from the major port.

SECURITY CONCERNS

This is to be a model that can be adopted in other ports. Most of the fishing harbours in the country are located close to major ports creating security problems for the merchant shipping, he said. The board also discussed the issue of augmentation of dredging capabilities even as a number of projects coming up in the port sector – both in major ports and non-major ports. There are not enough Indian flag dredgers, which is a major cause of worry for the industry, he said. – www.thehindubusinessline.com